U.S. patent application number 10/440432 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for system and method for applying an additive to a material stream.
Invention is credited to Greuel, Peter G., Johnston, David J., McNeff, Clayton V., McNeff, Larry C..
Application Number | 20040228207 10/440432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33418000 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040228207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McNeff, Larry C. ; et
al. |
November 18, 2004 |
System and method for applying an additive to a material stream
Abstract
The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and
methods for applying liquid feed additives to a feed composition.
In one embodiment, the system has a spray housing defining a spray
chamber located adjacent a mix housing carrying a material
composition. The mix housing defines a mix chamber, which contains
an actuating device, such as an auger, that moves the material
stream through the mix chamber. The mix chamber and spray chamber
are in fluid communication. A spray nozzle is coupled to the spray
housing and in fluid communication with an air source and liquid
additive tank. The spray nozzle sprays a fog of air and liquid
additive through the spray chamber and into the mix chamber, which
gets deposited on the passing feed stream.
Inventors: |
McNeff, Larry C.; (Anoka,
MN) ; McNeff, Clayton V.; (Anoka, MN) ;
Johnston, David J.; (Anoka, MN) ; Greuel, Peter
G.; (Anoka, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MERCHANT & GOULD PC
P.O. BOX 2903
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Family ID: |
33418000 |
Appl. No.: |
10/440432 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
366/168.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01F 27/70 20220101;
B01F 2101/18 20220101; B01J 2/10 20130101; B01F 27/62 20220101;
B01F 33/502 20220101; B01F 2101/06 20220101; Y10S 119/902 20130101;
B01F 27/90 20220101; B01F 27/724 20220101; B01F 23/54 20220101;
B01F 23/53 20220101 |
Class at
Publication: |
366/168.1 |
International
Class: |
B01F 015/02 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A system for applying a liquid additive to a material stream,
the system comprising: a pump operatively connected to an additive
tank and in fluid communication with a spray nozzle to move the
additive to the spray nozzle; an air source in fluid communication
with the spray nozzle, wherein the air source provides air to the
spray nozzle; a mix housing defining a mix chamber and a mix
chamber opening, the mix chamber opening providing access to the
interior of the mix chamber and to the material stream; an
actuating device disposed within the mix chamber, the actuating
device arranged to move the material stream from a first end to a
second end of the mix housing; a spray housing defining a spray
chamber and a spray chamber opening, the spray housing located
adjacent to the mix housing providing fluid communication between
the spray chamber and the mix chamber through the mix chamber
opening and the spray chamber opening; and the spray nozzle
disposed to spray a fog of air and liquid additive into the spray
chamber, which passes through the spray chamber opening and the mix
chamber opening into the mix chamber and deposits onto the material
stream as it passes through the mix chamber.
2. The system in claim 1, further comprising a door positioned on
the spray housing to allow access to the spray chamber.
3. The spray housing opening in claim 1, wherein the spray chamber
opening is about equal to the size of the mix chamber opening.
4. The spray housing opening in claim 1, wherein the spray chamber
opening is greater than the size of the mix housing opening.
5. The spray housing opening in claim 1, wherein the spray chamber
opening is less than the size of the mix housing opening.
6. The system in claim 1, wherein the fog substantially fills a
volume of the mix chamber defined by an area of the mix chamber
opening and a depth of the mix chamber below the mix chamber
opening.
7. The system in claim 1, wherein the nozzle is arranged to produce
a spray of a mixture of the liquid additive and air to
substantially cover the material stream with the liquid
additive.
8. The system in claim 1, wherein the actuating device is an
auger.
9. The auger in claim 8, wherein the auger is a mixing auger.
10. The system as in claim 1, wherein the liquid additive exiting
the nozzle has a droplet diameter of about 1 to 100 microns.
11. The system as in claim 1, wherein the spray housing is coupled
to the mix housing between a midsection of the mix housing and a
first end of the mix housing.
12. The system as in claim 1, wherein the spray housing is located
sufficiently close to a first end of the mix housing to allow the
liquid additive and the material stream to be sufficiently mixed in
the mix chamber.
13. The system as in claim 1, wherein the system includes a control
unit operatively connected to system parameter meters and
controllers, a computer and modem, and a work station arranged to
automate the system.
14. The system as in claim 1, further comprising a valve
operatively positioned between the air source and the spray
nozzle.
15. The valve as in claim 14, wherein the valve is a solenoid
valve.
16. The system as in claim 1, further comprising an air filter
operatively positioned between the spray nozzle and the air
source.
17. The system as in claim 1, further comprising an air regulator
operatively positioned between the spray nozzle and the air
source.
18. The system in claim 1, further comprising a steam chest in
fluid communication with the mix chamber, wherein the liquid
additive can withstand cooking temperatures within the steam chest
ranging from 150 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
19. A system for applying a liquid additive to a material stream,
the system comprising: a pump operatively connected to an additive
tank and in fluid communication with a spray nozzle to move the
additive to the spray nozzle; an air source in fluid communication
with the spray nozzle, the air source providing air to the spray
nozzle; a solenoid valve operatively positioned between the air
source and the spray nozzle; an air filter operatively positioned
between the air source and the spray nozzle; an air regulator
operatively positioned between the air source and the spray nozzle;
a mix housing defining a mix chamber and a mix chamber opening, the
mix chamber opening providing access to the interior of the mix
chamber and to the material stream; an auger disposed within the
mix chamber, the auger arranged to move the material stream from a
first end to a second end of the mix housing; a spray housing
defining a spray chamber and a spray chamber opening, the spray
housing located adjacent to the mix housing between the midpoint of
the mix housing and the first end of the mix housing, providing
fluid communication between the spray chamber and the mix chamber
through the mix chamber opening and the spray chamber opening; the
spray housing having a length of about 3 feet, a width about the
width of the mix housing and a height about 1.5 feet, and the spray
nozzle disposed to spray a fog of liquid additive having droplet
sizes from about 1 micron to 100 microns into the spray chamber,
which passes through the spray chamber opening and the mix chamber
opening into the mix chamber and deposits onto the material stream
as it passes through the mix chamber.
20. The system as in claim 19, wherein the spray chamber is
removable from the mix housing such that it can be added and
removed as such a system is needed on a mix housing to combine an
additive on a material stream.
21. The spray chamber opening in claim 19, wherein the spray
chamber opening is about equal to the size of the mix chamber
opening.
22. The spray chamber opening in claim 19, wherein the spray
chamber opening is greater than the size of the mix housing
opening.
23. The spray chamber opening in claim 19, wherein the spray
chamber opening is less than the size of the mix housing
opening.
24. The system in claim 19, wherein the fog substantially fills a
volume of the mix chamber defined by an area of the mix chamber
opening and a depth of the mix chamber below the mix chamber
opening.
25. The system in claim 19, wherein the nozzle is arranged to
produce a spray of a mixture of the liquid additive and air to
substantially cover the material stream with the liquid additive as
it passes through the mix chamber.
26. The system in claim 19, wherein a control unit, a computer and
system meters are operatively arranged to automate the system such
that a user can monitor and control the system from a
workstation.
27. A method for making an animal feed product, the method
comprising the steps of: passing a material stream through a mix
chamber; coupling the mix chamber to a spray chamber, wherein the
mix chamber and spray chamber are in fluid communication; forming a
fog of liquid additive, the fog including a mixture of air and a
liquid feed additive; depositing the fog onto the material stream;
mixing the material stream and the liquid additive after the
deposit of the fog; and heating the feed stream.
28. A system for applying a liquid additive to a material stream,
the system comprising: a pump operatively connected to an additive
tank and in fluid communication with a spray nozzle to move the
additive to the spray nozzle; a mix housing defining a mix chamber
and a mix chamber opening, the mix chamber opening providing access
to the interior of the mix chamber and to the material stream; an
actuating device disposed within the mix chamber, the actuating
device arranged to move the material stream from a first end to a
second end of the mix housing; a spray housing defining a spray
chamber and a spray chamber opening, the spray housing located
adjacent to the mix housing providing fluid communication between
the spray chamber and the mix chamber through the mix chamber
opening and the spray chamber opening; and the spray nozzle
disposed to spray a fog of liquid additive into the spray chamber,
which passes through the spray chamber opening and the mix chamber
opening into the mix chamber and deposits onto the material stream
as it passes through the mix chamber.
29. A system for applying a liquid additive to a material, the
system comprising: a pump operatively connected to an additive tank
and in fluid communication with a spray nozzle to move the additive
to the spray nozzle; an air source in fluid communication with the
spray nozzle, wherein the air source provides air to the spray
nozzle; a mix housing defining a mix chamber and a mix chamber
opening, the mix chamber opening providing access to the interior
of the mix chamber and to the material; a mixing device disposed
within the mix chamber, the mixing device arranged to mix the
material in the mix chamber; a spray housing defining a spray
chamber and a spray chamber opening, the spray housing located
adjacent to the mix housing providing fluid communication between
the spray chamber and the mix chamber through the mix chamber
opening and the spray chamber opening; and the spray nozzle
disposed to spray a fog of air and liquid additive into the spray
chamber, which passes through the spray chamber opening and the mix
chamber opening into the mix chamber and deposits onto the material
as it is mixed in the mix chamber.
30. The system in claim 29, wherein the fog substantially fills the
mix chamber.
31. The system in claim 29, wherein the nozzle is arranged to
produce a spray of a mixture of the liquid additive and air to
substantially cover the material with the liquid additive.
32. The system as in claim 29, wherein the liquid additive exiting
the nozzle has a droplet diameter of about 1 to 100 microns.
33. The system as in claim 29, wherein the system includes a
control unit operatively connected to a computer, process stream
monitors and regulators and a work station such that a user can
monitor and control the system from the workstation.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to the field of feed
processing systems and more particularly to systems and methods for
combining additives with feed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many livestock producers use processed feed to raise
livestock, such as poultry, cattle, swine, sheep and dairy and beef
cattle, rather than unprocessed feed or allowing the animals to
graze on open pastures. Processed feed allows producers to achieve
greater production in less space and at lower operating costs. In
addition to the advantage of raising a larger number of animals on
less land, processed feed allows producers to tailor the
feed'nutrition qualities for specific types of animals. Thus, not
only can more animals be produced on less land, processed feed also
enables the animals to grow larger and healthier.
[0003] Grain-processing facilities typically combine a number of
ingredients, such as wheat, barley and corn, mix them together and
mill them to produce an animal feed product. Many grain-processing
facilities operate continuously, thus, the milled grain is often
moved throughout the system by means of conveyers or augers. Once
milled, the feed is subject to various refining processes. For
example, the feed may be combined with other materials, cooked,
dried or made into flakes or pellets. Often feed is combined with
various additives, such as liquid additives, conditioners,
supplements, medicines and micro ingredients. Typically, these
additives are metered and mixed into the feed through direct liquid
injection by means of a micro ingredient machine or a liquid
chemical pump, and then they are mixed in large chambers or
containers, as a batch process; this process often leads to uneven
distribution of the additive on the feed.
[0004] Different additives require different processing. For
example, certain additives are heat sensitive and must be added to
the feed after it is cooked; other additives can be mixed with the
feed at any appropriate time in the process.
[0005] Additives work optimally in certain animals at particular
concentrations. Thus, it is desirable to efficiently and uniformly
distribute the additives into the feed. Uniform distribution of the
additive into the feed prevents the livestock from consuming too
much or too little of the additive. For example, a feed with an
uneven distribution may have negative effects on the animals to
which it is fed because some animals may get fed too much additive
while others get fed too little additive. The animals that ingest
the feed with too high a concentration of additives may be harmed,
or the excess additive may pass through the animal without
achieving its desired effect. Likewise, an animal that ingests feed
with too little an additive content is not receiving the benefits
intended by the additive. Thus, efficient uniform application
insures that the animals will ingest the proper amount of additive
and the additive will perform optimally.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for
applying a liquid additive to a material stream. In one embodiment,
the material stream enters a mix housing, which defines a mix
chamber, and is pushed through the mix chamber by an actuating
device contained therein. Adjacent the mix housing is a spray
housing, which defines a spray chamber. The material stream passes
through a volume created by a portion of the mix chamber that is in
fluid communication with the spray chamber. A nozzle, connected to
a liquid additive line and an air line, is coupled to the spray
housing. The nozzle creates a fog of liquid additive in the spray
chamber and in a volume of the mix chamber adjacent the spray
chamber. The fog of liquid additive gets deposited on the material
stream. As the material continues through the mix chamber, the
actuating device mixes the additive into the feed stream.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an embodiment made according to the
principles of the present disclosure;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a diagram of another embodiment made according to
the principles of the present disclosure; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram of another embodiment made according to
the principles of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring now to the drawings in which similar elements are
numbered identically throughout, descriptions of embodiments
constructed according to the principles of the present disclosure
are provided. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 26
generally includes, among other elements described below, an air
source 13, an additive tank 15, an additive pump 14, additive line
17 and air line 12, a spray nozzle 8, a spray housing 1, a mix
housing 4, an actuating device 7 and a control unit 24.
[0012] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one embodiment of a mix housing 4
made according to the principles of the present disclosure. The mix
housing 4 defines a mix chamber 5 and a mix chamber opening 6. The
mix housing 4 is used to transport material from one point in a
feed processing plant to another point in the feed processing
plant. Inside the mix chamber 5 is an actuating device 7. While
inside the mix housing 4, the material stream 25 is progressed
through the mix chamber 5 and mixed by the actuating device 7. The
actuating device 7 can be anything capable of moving and mixing the
material stream 25 through the mix chamber 5. For example, the
actuating device 7 could be an auger. The auger can be any of a
number of commercially available augers; it can also include mixing
bars that help mix the material stream 25 as it passes through the
mix chamber 5 such that the additive 16 is deposited on the
material stream 25. Alternatively, the actuating device 7 can be a
conveyor, rotating drum, or any other device that moves the
material stream 25 through the mix chamber 5. The actuating device
may optionally be manually controlled or automated by connecting it
to a control unit 24, which monitors and regulates the flow rate of
the material stream 25 by adjusting the speed of the actuating
device 7.
[0013] The mix housing 4 has a length 30, a width 23 and a height
22. The length 30 can be any operable length required to move the
material stream 25 from one point in the process to another. The
length 30 has a first end 27, a midsection 28, and a second end 29.
The material stream 25 enters the mix housing 4 at the first end 27
and exits the mix housing 4 at the second end 29. In one
embodiment, mix housing 4 has a width 23 ranging from 1 foot to 8
feet. In another embodiment, mix housing 4 has a width 23 that
ranges between about 2 feet and 5 feet. In yet another embodiment,
the mix housing 4 has a width 23 of about 3 feet. In another
embodiment, the mix housing 4 has a height 22 that ranges between
about 1 and 5 feet. In another embodiment, the mix housing 4 has a
height 22 that ranges between about 1.5 and 3.5 feet. In yet
another embodiment, the mix housing 4 has a height 22 of about 2
feet.
[0014] The mix housing 4 constructed according to the principles of
the present disclosure can have many different shapes. For example,
the mix housing 4 can be rectangular, trapezoidal, tubular,
cylindrical, U-shaped, or any other shape that can define a mix
chamber 5. The mix housing 4 can also be constructed from any
suitable material. Such materials would be recognized by those
skilled in the art and chosen depending on the specific
requirements of the system. For example, however, the mix housing
could be made of plastic, metal, fiberglass, composite material,
wood or any other suitable material.
[0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a spray
housing 1 made according to the principles of the present
disclosure is described. The spray housing 1 is located adjacent
the mix housing 4. The spray housing 1 defines a spray chamber 2
and a spray chamber opening 3. The spray housing 1 is placed
adjacent the mix housing 4 such that the spray chamber opening 3
and the mix chamber opening 6 provides fluid communication between
the spray chamber 2 and the mix chamber 5. In one embodiment, the
spray chamber opening 3 is about equal to and corresponds in shape
to the mix chamber opening 6. Alternatively, the spray chamber
opening 3 can be larger than mix chamber opening 6, or the spray
chamber opening 3 can be smaller than the mix chamber opening 6,
and they do not have to have corresponding shapes.
[0016] In one embodiment, the spray housing 1 is a rectangular box
having a length 21, a height 19 and a width 20. In one embodiment
the length of the spray housing 1 can range from about one half
foot to 8 feet. In another embodiment, the length 21 of the spray
housing 1 is between about 1 and 5 feet. In another embodiment, the
length 21 of the spray housing 1 is between about 2 to 4 feet. In
yet another embodiment, the length 21 of the spray housing 1 is
about 3 feet. The width 20 of the spray housing 1 in one
embodiment, ranges between about 1 foot and 5 feet. In another
embodiment, the width 20 of the spray housing 1 ranges between
about 1 foot and 2 feet. And in yet another embodiment, the width
20 of the spray housing 1 is about one and a half feet. The height
19 of the spray housing 1 can be selected in combination with the
spray nozzle 8 so the spray exiting the spray nozzle 8 covers
material stream 25. The height 19 of the spray housing 1, in one
embodiment, ranges between about a half of a foot and 4 feet. In
another embodiment, the height 19 of the spray housing 1 ranges
between about 1 to 3 feet. In yet another embodiment, the height 19
of the spray housing 1 is about 1 to 2 feet.
[0017] The spray housing 1 made according to the principles of the
present disclosure may be made of many different materials. For
example, the spray housing 1 may be made of metal, plastic,
fiberglass, composite material, wood or a combination of materials.
The spray housing 1 may also be many different shapes. For example,
the spray housing 1 may be rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal,
U-shaped, spherical, tubular, or any other shape that can define a
spray chamber 2. In another embodiment, the spray housing may
include a spray housing door 39, which provides access to the spray
chamber 2.
[0018] Spray housing 1 is located adjacent the mix housing 4 such
that the liquid additive 16 is deposited onto the material stream
25 early enough to allow material stream 25 sufficient time to mix
in the mix chamber 5. In one embodiment constructed to the
principles of the present disclosure, spray housing 1 is located
adjacent the mix housing 4 between the first end 27 and the
midsection 28 of the mix housing 4. While, it should be noted that
the spray housing 1 can be located anywhere adjacent the mix
housing 4, it is preferred for the spray housing 1 to be positioned
to allow the material stream 25 to be sufficiently mixed in the mix
chamber 5 before exiting the mix housing 4 at the second end
29.
[0019] In one embodiment, spray nozzle 8 is coupled to the spray
housing 1 such that it sprays a mixture of air and liquid additive
16 through the spray chamber 2 and into the mix chamber 5 and gets
deposited on the material stream 25. In an alternative embodiment,
spray nozzle 8 could spray only a liquid additive 16.
Alternatively, there could be a plurality of spray nozzles that
spray the liquid additive 16, or a mixture of liquid additive and
air, through the spray chamber 2 and into the mix chamber 5 onto
the material stream 25. The type of spray nozzle 8 used can be any
type of nozzle that produces a fine mist or fog that will
substantially fill the volume of the mix chamber 5 adjacent the
spray housing 1, such that the liquid additive 16 gets deposited on
the material stream 25. In one embodiment of the present
disclosure, the spray nozzle 8 uses is a "UNIJET 9510" made by
Spraying Systems Company. In an embodiment made according to the
principles of the present disclosure, the spray nozzle 8 provides a
fan of liquid additive 16 having a width about the size of either
the smaller of the spray chamber opening 3 or the mix chamber
opening 6 when it reaches either opening. Alternatively, the spray
nozzle 8 sprays a fan of air and liquid additive that is about the
width of the material stream 25 passing through the mix chamber
5.
[0020] The spray or fog ejected from the spray nozzle 8, in one
embodiment, has particle sizes ranging from 1 to 100 microns in
diameter. In another embodiment, the particle size ejected from the
spray nozzle can be from about 10 to 80 microns in diameter. In yet
another embodiment, the particle size ejected from the spray nozzle
8 could be between about 30 and 50 microns in diameter.
[0021] Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment the
material stream 25 passes through the mix chamber 5 adjacent the
spray chamber 2. A mixture of air and liquid additive 16 are
sprayed out of the spray nozzle 8 and deposited on the material
stream 25. The material stream 25 continues moving through the mix
housing 4 by way of the actuating device 7. The actuating device 7
mixes the material stream 25 and the liquid additive 16 prior to
exiting the mix housing 4. Once the material stream 25 and liquid
additive 16 are mixed, the material stream 25 can be further
processed in a number of different ways. For example, the material
stream 25 can enter steam chest 18 where it is cooked at between
about 150 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and steam flaked, the material
stream can be dry rolled or any other process used to produce a
feed product.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the additive line 17 is
connected to an additive pump 14, which in turn is connected to an
additive tank 15. Additive tank 15 holds the liquid additive 16,
which is pumped, via the additive pump 14, through additive line 17
to the air nozzle 8, where it is mixed with the air in the air line
12. Alternatively, the system may simply spry additive out the
nozzle omitting the air. The liquid additive 16 can be any number
of additives that are combined with feed. An example of a liquid
additive may be SarStart.RTM.--LSC or SarTemp.RTM. made by
SarTec.RTM. Corporation of Anoka, Minn., which are used to
condition grain and increase feed efficiency in animals. Other
additives may include vitamins, minerals, conditioners,
supplements, medicines and micro ingredients.
[0023] In one embodiment, the chemical pump 14 is operatively
connected to a control unit 24 such that the control unit 24
regulates the amount of additive 16 that the additive pump 14
provides to the spray nozzle 8. It will be apparent to one skilled
in the art to select the appropriate equipment depending on the
system requirements. Alternatively, the additive pump 14 can be
manually adjusted to provide the required flow rate for a desired
composition of additive 16 and material 25.
[0024] In one embodiment an air source 13 supplies the nozzle 8
with air connected through air line 12. An air filter 10, an air
regulator 11, and a valve 9 can be connected between the air source
13 and the spray nozzle 8 along the air line 12. In one embodiment,
the valve 9 and the air regulator 11 may be operatively connected
to a control unit 24, which regulates the valve 9 and the air
regulator 11 to control the air supply in the system 26. One
skilled in this art can select the appropriate equipment depending
on whether the system 26 is automated or manually controlled. For
example, in an automated system, valve 9 could be a solenoid valve.
The flow parameters of the system 26 are determined based upon the
desired composition of the material stream 25. It will be apparent
to one skilled in the art how to manipulate these parameters
according to the desired composition of the material stream 25.
Alternatively, valve 9 and air regulator 11 can be manually
adjusted.
[0025] Additionally, the control unit 24 could also include a
computer 31, including a modem, capable of monitoring, recording,
controlling, and displaying the system parameters, such as, flow
rates, temperatures, volumes, pressures and concentrations. In this
example embodiment, the control unit 24 could be operatively
connected to the air regulator 11, a valve 9, an air flow meter 33,
an additive flow meter 34, the pump 14, a material stream meter 35,
an additive concentration meter 34, the actuating device 7, and the
steam chest thermometer 38. The control unit 24 could be
operatively connected to a remote workstation 32, either via a wire
36 or wirelessly using transmitter/receiver devices 37. From the
workstation 32 the operator could monitor the system parameters in
real time, or review stored values to determine what certain
parameters were at any given time. An example of such a system is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,468, issued to Rupp et al, is
incorporated by reference into this disclosure.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment
made according to the principles of the present disclosure. FIG. 3
shows a mix housing 204, having an actuating device 207 to mix the
batch material 225. The mix housing 204 defines a mix chamber 205
and a mix chamber opening 206, which provides access to the
interior of the mix housing 204 and the batch material 225.
Adjacent the mix housing 204 is a spray housing 201 defining a
spray chamber 202 and a spray chamber opening 203. In this
embodiment the spray housing 201 is spherical to fit over the mix
housing 204 such that the mix chamber opening 206 and the spray
chamber opening 203 provide fluid communication between the spray
chamber 202 and the mix chamber 205. Alternatively, the spray
housing 201 made according to the principles of the present
disclosure may be made of many different materials, and also may
also be many different shapes and appropriate sizes. In another
embodiment, the spray housing 201 may hinge onto the mix housing
204 such that it provides access to the mix chamber 205 to fill the
mix chamber 205 with batch material 225. Alternatively, the spray
housing 201 could be removable, or the batch material 225 could be
added into the mix chamber 205 through an opening (not shown) in
the mix housing 204 designed to receive the batch material 225.
[0027] In one embodiment, a nozzle 8 is coupled to the spray
housing 201. The nozzle 8 creates a fog of a mixture of air and
additive 16 in the spray chamber 202. The fog travels through the
spray chamber opening 203, the mix chamber opening 206, and into
the mix chamber 205 such that it is deposited onto the batch
material 225 as the actuating device 207 mixes the batch material
225. The actuating device 207 can be a mixing paddle(s) or any type
of mixing apparatus used in a mix housing 204 known to one skilled
in the art to sufficiently mix the batch material 225 such that the
fog of air and liquid additive 16 is sufficiently mixed into the
batch material 225. It should be recognized that the parameters of
the spray housing 201, such as the material out of which it is made
and its shape are similar to the spray housing 1 described above.
The size of the spray housing 201 can be any appropriate size,
which would be apparent to one skilled in the art, depending on the
application for which it is to be used. In choosing the size, one
skilled in the art should consider the length, width and height of
the spry housing 201 and the mix housing 204 along with the spray
nozzle 8. Such elements should be chosen such that the additive 16
is deposited uniformly onto the batch material 225 as the batch
material 225 is mixed.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, FIG. 4 illustrates yet another
embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrate a spray
housing 301 positioned such that a mix truck 300 can be driven
under the spray housing 301. The mix truck 300 contains a mix
housing 304. The mix housing 304 defines a mix chamber 305 and a
mix chamber opening 306 that provides access to the interior of the
mix housing 304 and the batch material 325. Adjacent the mix
housing 304 is a spray housing 301 defining a spray chamber 302 and
a spray chamber opening 303. In this embodiment the spray housing
301 is rectangular to fit over the mix housing 304 such that the
mix chamber opening 306 and the spray chamber opening 303 provide
fluid communication between the spray chamber 302 and the mix
chamber 305. It should be recognized that the parameters of the
spray housing 301, such as the material out of which it is made and
its shape are similar to the spray housing 1 described above.
Additionally, one skilled in the art would know how to choose the
dimensions of the spray housing 301 according to the application
for which it is to be used in according with the principles of the
present disclosure.
[0029] In another embodiment, a nozzle 8 is coupled to the spray
housing 301. The nozzle 8 creates a fog of a mixture of air and
additive 16 in the spray chamber 302. The fog travels through the
spray chamber opening 303, the mix chamber opening 306, and into
the mix chamber 305 such that it is deposited onto the batch
material 325 as the actuating device 307 mixes the batch material
325. The actuating device 307 can be a mixing paddle(s) or any type
of mixing apparatus used in a mix housing 304 known to one skilled
in the art to sufficiently mix the batch material 325 such that the
fog of air and liquid additive 16 is mixed into the batch material
325. The remaining elements in FIG. 4 are described in detail
above.
[0030] It is to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the
present disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing
description, together with the details of the structure and the
function of various embodiments of the disclosure, this disclosure
is illustrative only and changes may be made in details, especially
in matters of shape, size and arrangement and parts within the
principles of the present disclosure, to the full extent indicated
by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended
claims are expressed.
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